Looking for Ideas for Parallel Guides

[Wildcoach]

Hi All,

I have the guides and extensions.  I am running into a problem when ripping boards or plywood using the extensions. Due to the upside down curve of the extensions, i can't put the entire board I am ripping on the table, so I have to extend the board off the edge of the table and the board remains unsupported.  When I don't support the piece being cut off, I get binding, burning of the wood and the cut piece drops to the floor after ripping off at the end without a clean cut. Not my idea of fun with Festools.

I made some 36" support strips out of 1x2 poplar and glued non-skid rubber on top and bottom.  I use clamps to hold them in position on the table so I can support the board when cutting, but it is a pain in the a** to set up.  I keep cutting into the rubber strips thereby requiring frequent replacement of the rubber at the end of the support strips.

Does anyone have any ideas for a jig that can support the board when using the extensions and keep the board from moving on the table?  I am open to ideas. 

BTW, you guys are great.  I read this forum almost every night and the ideas and information I find are great. 

Bill

 

[peter halle]

Your situation is not uncommon.  I made a torsion box cutting table ( 3 inch strips of plywood screwed into a hollow web) that allows for the extensions to fit in in between.  Roger Muller posted the design in his YouTube videos about the Parallel Guides.

In retrospect, I made my set up almost a full 4' x 8' and would make two 2' x 8' modules if I were to do it again.  It isn't heavy (2/3 sheet of plywood) but it is cumbersome.

By the way, you just gave me an idea!  I don't want to look stupider so I want to try it out first this weekend.

Thank YOU!

Peter

 

[Corwin]

"Stupider"  [blink]

 

[dltflt]

I used these Saw horses along with 2 8' 2 x 4 and 4 4' 2x 4's.  It is a full 4' x 8' and it is easy to assemble and knock down.  Just notch all the 2 x 4's and it you have a torsion box.  That being said I would use plywood if I were to do it again.

 

[Wildcoach]

Thanks for the reference to Roger Muller's videos.  After watching his 3 videos on the extension guides, I thought about making a 8' x 5' torsion box skinned both sides with a 7" gap in the skin on the top and bottom set about 10'' from the edge so the bow in the extensions would have a place to go.  This would provide a strong and flat support structure for just about any size material to be cut using the extensions.    I would put folding legs on the box like Roger Miller's. 

I watched The Wood Whisperer's video on making a torsion box, but I don't want to use short strips nailed in between the long strips because I don't have a nail gun and hand nailing would be a pain.  Can a torsion box be made using strips the length and width of the box with cutouts to allow the strips to interlock?

Bill

 

 

[scr00ge]

I used kreg pocket holes to put mine together.  I have a Ranger also, so that dictated the size of mine to be able to size flat in box.

 

[JeromeM]

I watched The Wood Whisperer's video on making a torsion box, but I don't want to use short strips nailed in between the long strips because I don't have a nail gun and hand nailing would be a pain.  Can a torsion box be made using strips the length and width of the box with cutouts to allow the strips to interlock?

Bill
 

It can. I did. And unless you are using thick strips I can see no need to cut lots of little pieces.

http://meekings.selfip.com/nui/Groups-of-photos/Wood_work_etc/Pages/Workbench.html

 

[Wildcoach]

Jerome,

Thanks, you gave me some great ideas.  I'm going to try a few things in the next couple of weeks and I'll let you know what I find out. 

BTW, I went through your pictures on the link you provided.  Great stuff!

Bill

 

[fshanno]

I'm not sure a torsion box is the best idea here.  Don't you want to be able to drop the extension down between the ribs?  That means no top.  And if it doesn't have a top you sure don't want it to have a bottom.  And I think ply is the way to go here.

And another thing.  I'm not big on a perimeter board.  Who needs it?  Just an open lattice with open edges that you can break down.  And support it on horses.  What the heck, splurge, use three.

This way you can just leave the extensions on permanently.